I don't think any school really teaches about how high living standards those North European countries have and how much oil and fjords they've got, that's my point. Everyone knows about Germany, France, the US and the UK because they've been the biggest parts of modern history, whereas the Nordic countries had their share of the spotlight between the 14th-18th century.

Besides, you know your country is really insignificant when most people primarily associates it with a fucking furniture company.

It's taught here, in geography classes (which are mandatory up to uni). We go over every single European country as well as major world countries twice (once in primary school and once in high school) and we of course mention the fact Scandinavian countries are the most developed. You should be happy that pretty much all Europeans know about you and look up to you. And that's the truth, we admire you (I'm not exaggerating, that's the image of Scandinavia in my country; the heaven on Earth).

My country is totally insignificant both globally and for Europe, which is just one of the reasons why I'm hoping one day the EU becomes a single country, at that point at least I'll know my country is of some significance. And i already prefer the European side of my identity rather than the Croatian side when I'm in the presence of non-Europeans.

It's taught here, in geography classes (which are mandatory up to uni). We go over every single European country as well as major world countries twice (once in primary school and once in high school) and we of course mention the fact Scandinavian countries are the most developed. You should be happy that pretty much all Europeans know about you and look up to you. And that's the truth, we admire you (I'm not exaggerating, that's the image of Scandinavia in my country; the heaven on Earth).

My country is totally insignificant both globally and for Europe, which is just one of the reasons why I'm hoping one day the EU becomes a single country, at that point at least I'll know my country is of some significance. And i already prefer the European side of my identity rather than the Croatian side when I'm in the presence of non-Europeans.

I'm happily surprised to hear that there is a country out there where Sweden isn't synonymous with IKEA and blondines.

I'm happily surprised to hear that there is a country out there where Sweden isn't synonymous with IKEA and blondines.

It's generally thought in the US to be the original source of all big boobies. The fountainhead, really.

'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers clogged with rotting red
And there they lay I damn me eyes
All lookouts clapped on Paradise
All souls bound just contrarywise, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

I don't know where this idea comes from. Of course most scandinavian countries rank high, but together they don't form a block of most developed countries.

For example, on this list my country ranks #3. Maybe you just saw Norway on #1 and assumed it represented all of scandinavia? (do note that things could've changed slightly since the euro crisis, but I doubt there are any major changes)

I don't know where this idea comes from. Of course most scandinavian countries rank high, but together they don't form a block of most developed countries.

For example, on this list my country ranks #3. Maybe you just saw Norway on #1 and assumed it represented all of scandinavia? (do note that things could've changed slightly since the euro crisis, but I doubt there are any major changes)

Great Britain is not even on that list? What Witch craft is this?

I am the Pied Piper of the Hunger Games, a simple man followed by a few dozen rats.

The UK is listed as 28th on that list, just behind the Czech Republic.

Strangely the US is ranked 4th, which I wouldn't have expected.

'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers clogged with rotting red
And there they lay I damn me eyes
All lookouts clapped on Paradise
All souls bound just contrarywise, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

I don't know where this idea comes from. Of course most scandinavian countries rank high, but together they don't form a block of most developed countries.

For example, on this list my country ranks #3. Maybe you just saw Norway on #1 and assumed it represented all of scandinavia? (do note that things could've changed slightly since the euro crisis, but I doubt there are any major changes)

I think it mostly has to do with how all the Nordic countries are on top of most lists when it comes to ranking countries (even Iceland!) despite having an incredibly small population in comparison to other countries, and never being in a real state of power in modern times in some way.

Then again, those lists can be pretty stupid at times, I seriously doubt the UK is supposed to be so low on the list. Not to mention that according to the UN Sweden would be way behind Greece in HDI in 2015, which I find unlikely (no offense, Greeks!)

Well spotted, I didnt expect us to be top but strange that we are so low. I have my theories as to why but some may consider them racist.

The UK falls down a bit in terms of years in school and robberies per capita, which drag down their overall score quite a bit.

'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers clogged with rotting red
And there they lay I damn me eyes
All lookouts clapped on Paradise
All souls bound just contrarywise, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

In my opinion the USA has better scenery. I don't think anything compares if you're just matching countries. North America vs Europe is more fair.

That's exactly what we're doing here right? *Looks at the thread title to be sure*

---------- Post added 2012-12-07 at 11:56 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Fahrenheit

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say this. But, this American could not care less about Europe. Outside of Germany and maybe the the UK the rest of the countries can wallow in thier impotent, meaningless obscurity.

Sadly some Europeans DO care about your state seeing Jersey Shore on television here. Just so you know we now all have some vision of what you guys do out there! Oh, and it's not positive btw.. Kinda stereotype, right? Oh and before I forget, Europeans are the founding fathers of your country, and PROBABLY, you are an European descendant too.
So think about it, we weren't insulting you guys about your ancestors who left their family and friends in Europe when bad times came. They just left with their tail between their legs and took the first boat crossing the Atlantic? We impotent, meaningless European should be proud we still live here

Measuring the 'UK School System' doesn't really work. The Scottish School System and the English School system work pretty differently, I don't know if the Welsh and N. Irish one is different however.

It's not my measurement. I think they just took into account the number of years the average student over the whole country stays in school.

'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead
Or a yawing hole in a battered head
And the scuppers clogged with rotting red
And there they lay I damn me eyes
All lookouts clapped on Paradise
All souls bound just contrarywise, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!